Ahmed El Melegy | Tsinghua University (original) (raw)

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Drafts by Ahmed El Melegy

Starting from architecture as a means of design; every building, every street, and every public s... more Starting from architecture as a means of design; every building, every street, and every public space in our Cairo urban landscape speaks volumes about our collective values. The design choices we make in architecture can mirror our aspirations, cultural identity, and social priorities. It's a visual representation of who we are as a community which is not exactly like what we say we are!
Thoughtful architecture design has the potential to foster positive human interactions and social connections. Unfortunately, we lack public spaces, walkable neighborhoods, and a proper mixed-use development, yet we claim that we encourage meaningful engagements, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within our communities. Architecture can shape our behavior and promote a sense of togetherness, but also it shows our territorial behavior and exclusivity.
Architecture has the power to honor and preserve our cultural heritage which has been the case for Cairo until recently. Utilizing historic buildings, integrating traditional elements into contemporary designs, and promoting cultural diversity in our urban spaces, we used to celebrate our collective history and create a sense of pride in our communities, now we silently building bridges and demolishing our history.
Last but definitely not least Architecture can greatly influence our well-being. elements such as natural light, green spaces, and ergonomic design principles in buildings contribute to improved mental and physical health, a catalyst that is deeply needed in our modern age. This need for well-being is not a luxury and can easily be substituted! Prioritizing human-centric design can create spaces that nurture and uplift individuals, enhancing their quality of life, relieving the daily stress of the Egyptian citizen, and perhaps giving the incentive to live one more day despite the challenges.
Architecture can be mean by itself help to shape communities but it’s much more powerful in reflecting our inner values and testing them. After a few years of practicing, studying, and closely being involved I am afraid to say that academics have lost grip over professional practice and focused only on academia while the professional market has been totally independent driven by pure capitalistic needs and low experienced colleagues that just want to get the job done!

This paper explores the potential of integrating traditional Egyptian architecture with sustainab... more This paper explores the potential of integrating traditional Egyptian architecture with sustainable methodologies and materials to create a more ecologically responsible built environment. It presents an analysis of the key features of traditional Egyptian architecture, including the use of local materials, passive cooling and heating strategies, and the role of cultural and social values in the design process. The paper then examines the potential for modern sustainable materials and technologies to enhance the performance and longevity of these traditional buildings, focusing on the use of renewable energy, recycling and reuse, and innovative construction techniques. Case studies of successful integration are provided, and the paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for contemporary architecture and urban planning in Egypt.

The influence of architecture brought up by a German - American architect on berlin during the pe... more The influence of architecture brought up by a German - American architect on berlin during the peak of the cold war and the segregation of Berlin

The traditions of Chinese living ethics are concerned with questions about how one should live hi... more The traditions of Chinese living ethics are concerned with questions about how one should live his life; what makes a life worthwhile; how to complete ones duties towards family versus duties towards strangers; whether human nature is predisposed to be morally good or bad; the extent to which one must become involved in reforming the larger social and political structures of one's society; and how one should conduct oneself when in a position of influence or power. The core concepts of Confucius ethics in historical context has been discussed in detail in this paper. A comparative study of ancient concepts and their evolution in Chinese society has been done in later part. In the end the significance of these Confucian ethics on modern Chinese society has been discussed.

Community momentum Identity is bounded by its impeded cultural understanding and its time Frame. ... more Community momentum Identity is bounded by its impeded cultural understanding and its time Frame. Reading and integrating the whole complex of the tangible and intangible products of a society can only be acquired perfectly by its own dwellers. Nevertheless, the perception of art and craftsman that are always developing gradually with time creates the challenge of identifying the identity within the perspective of a third person even though if it was part of the culture but from a different era.

Reading the core philosophy or trying to identify the cultural aspect is always difficult but on the other hand revitalizing and reincarnating the past is even more challenging. The society attachment to their past is due to common believes, respect of tradition and the pleasure of Nostalgia. But the issue of re-imitating the past is often combined with "Reactionaryism" and “Traditionalism” ideologies. The modern inhabitant needs shifted the modern society from the microcosmic parameters and reform it to fit more to a new global scale community that share mixed culture and values. The influence of the modern culture comes with the raising demand of the “Functionality” and thus imbalance it with “Humanistically”

Thesis Chapters by Ahmed El Melegy

Community Development Through proposing Informal Education, 2018

intro: The architecture of the Cairo is very diverse especially toward the center. The ancient hi... more intro: The architecture of the Cairo is very diverse especially toward the center. The ancient history of the city is very linked to its architecture and can be seen in form of layers on top of layers in its urban fabric. Within the urban fabric, the areas hold significant character in its architecture that speaks about the socio-economic and ideology held by its original inhabitants. Within the broad difference of the architecture characters, the natural constraints of the eco-geologic can see as a common bounder that can be seen in the use of the construction material and the daily rituals that can been seen in the building typologies

Papers by Ahmed El Melegy

The significance of the Egyptian Oblisk on the urban form in the classical design of 3 cities New... more The significance of the Egyptian Oblisk on the urban form in the classical design of 3 cities New york, London and Paris

Cairo may not require an introduction as it is known to most the readers it has been both the cap... more Cairo may not require an introduction as it is known to most the readers it has been both the capital for of Egypt for about a millennium, and the largest metropolitan city in the Middle East and North Africa region1, and fifteenth biggest in the world as its periphery extends to include Giza, Qaliuobia, 6th of October and Helwan cities to what is known as Greater Cairo. It has layers of history that extend from pharaonic 3000 B.C to the end of the monarchy (1953) (AlSayyad, N 2011) and iconic architecture presented in landmarks such as the Giza pyramids complex make it an important cultural focal point in the region; in as well as its pronounced political dimension .
With a population of 6.76 million spread over than 453 Km2 which makes it one of the most condensed cities in the world. In addition to approximately 9.5 million citizen that live within a reachable distance from the city. The metro network in Cairo has mainly two lines and facilitates 1 billion rides per year. Therefore, with its dense population, the metropolises suffer from residential conjunction along the poor administrative role that pushed the city into informality and slums that form 30% of its land and hold 60% of its population.With a population of 6.76 million spread over than 453 Km2 which makes it one of the most condensed cities in the world. In addition to approximately 9.5 million citizen that live within a reachable distance from the city. The metro network in Cairo has mainly two lines and facilitates 1 billion rides per year. Therefore, with its dense population, the metropolises suffer from residential conjunction along the poor administrative role that pushed the city into informality and slums that form 30% of its land and hold 60% of its population.

Books by Ahmed El Melegy

Sharing Cities, 2018

Sharing infrastructure is a section in the" Sharing Cities " publication that was one of the prod... more Sharing infrastructure is a section in the" Sharing Cities " publication that was one of the products of the English Program of Master in Architecture (EPMA) in Tsinghua School of Architecture. infrastructure such as water supply, waste disposal, and
public toilets are considered negative
facilities that affect the quality of the
urban environment. In recent years,
these facilities have been given new
features, combined with education
and exhibitions and other functional
purpose, they become a new interest
in the city, and even become a
new icon of the city. In addition,
similarly with the bike sharing, some
small facilities, such as machinery,
equipment and daily tools, have also
begun a new mode of sharing.

Conference Presentations by Ahmed El Melegy

Community Development Through proposing Informal Education, 2018

Sharing Cities, 2018